A group of journalists and community organizations has filed a federal lawsuit challenging a Maryland law that prohibits people from broadcasting recordings of criminal trial proceedings. The lawsuit is the latest in an ongoing effort to oppose § 1-201 of Maryland’s Code of Criminal Procedure. That provision makes it illegal to broadcast a recording of any criminal “trial, hearing, motion, or argument” held in a trial court, including recordings that were lawfully obtained from court itself.

The plaintiffs argue that § 1-201 violates the First Amendment by barring them from disseminating accurate depictions of public court proceedings. Two of the plaintiffs, journalists Brandon Soderberg and Baynard Woods, hope to use trial recordings in future reporting and in an upcoming documentary about a now-defunct Baltimore police unit whose members were indicted on federal racketeering charges in 2017. Soderberg and Woods lawfully purchased trial recordings directly from the courthouse but are hesitant to use them in their film because of § 1‑201’s broadcasting ban.

BPD is required to revise its policies to align with the consent decree. The First-Year Monitoring Plan calls for public comments on these proposed policies. In combination with the Department of Justice and the Monitoring Team, BPD will consider these public comments before the policies are finalized.

BALT has read through and summarized all 26 applications for the public to review. Our summaries include an overview of each applicant's budget, key players, and whether or not the applicant meets any of BALT's initial recommendations.

Sample Email

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to you as a resident of Baltimore who is concerned about the unconstitutional and discriminatory behavior of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD). I have a vested interested in the consent decree and in ensuring that the voices of impacted residents are heard throughout the process. To that end (include your thoughts or Sample Talking Points from below here.)

This past Mother's Day, BALT worked with nearly two dozen local and national groups across the country to come together for the first ever National Mamas Bail Out Day. This historic event bailed out Black mothers so they could be reunited with their families and communities for Mother’s Day. BALT was able to successfully raise over $25,000 and bail out 10 individuals in time for the holiday. During the month of June, BALT aims to continue to free Black fathers, mothers, and members of the LGBTQ community in solidarity with Fathers day, Juneteenth, and Pride. Once again, we can't do it without your support. Consider donating to our bail out fund to help reunite families.

June 14th 2017- Applications for the Baltimore City Police Department consent decree are now available for review. Twenty-six applications have been submitted and include local groups as well as firms from outside of the city.

Starting at noon on Friday, May 12, Baltimore Action Legal Team bailed out 6 individuals who were all being held on minor charges because they could not afford to pay bail. BALT partnered with Baltimore Jail Support who provided support upon their release, including emotional support, water, food, transportation, and basic first aid for people being released from Baltimore’s Central Booking and Intake Facility. People who were bailed out ranged in age from 20 to 44. It cost as little as $100 to as much as $1,000 to secure their freedom. The effort took around the clock work, clearing up wrong information, and waiting hours in the room to greet moms with gift baskets. Although bails were posted as early as 1 PM on Friday May 12 - no one emerged from Central Booking until almost 3 AM the following morning. The last person was not freed until Saturday morning.

Under the terms of the City of Baltimore Consent Decree, an Independent Monitor (“Monitor”), which will include a team of individuals with expertise in policing, civil rights, monitoring, data analysis, project management, and related areas, as well as local experience and expertise with the diverse communities of Baltimore, to assess and report on whether the requirements of this Agreementhave been implemented and provide Technical Assistance in achieving compliance.